Stabilizer systems for medical procedures that maintain sterility of an articulating arm above a sterile barrier

Abstract

Disclosed herein are stabilizer systems that include a base for securing the stabilizer system to a patient table by inserting the base between the patient table and the mattress on the patient table. The stabilizer systems also include a connector that connects a lockable articulating arm to the base. The base protrudes from under the mattress slightly to provide a sturdy and predictable surface to attach the articulating arm of the stabilizer system. The base can then be used to support a lockable articulating arm with a clamp at its distal end for holding an access sheath or delivery system. The connectors attach the articulating arm to the base so that the articulating arm is above the sterile surgical drape to maintain sterility of the articulating arm. The stabilizer systems are advantageous in jugular access procedures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stabilizer system for use in a medical procedure to stabilize an access sheath or a delivery device, the stabilizer system comprising:
 a base configured to be positioned between a patient table and a pad on the patient table;   an articulating arm;   a connector configured to secure the articulating arm to a portion of the base that protrudes from under the pad; and   a holder at a distal end of the articulating arm, the holder configured to interface with the access sheath or delivery device,   wherein the connector is configured to connect to the base in a way that maintains sterility of the articulating arm above a sterile barrier during connection of the connector to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a stabilizing portion and a protruding portion separated by a wall that extends vertically from the base. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the base that protrudes from under the mattress or pad forms a base mounting portion that mates with the connector. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises an arm mating pin configured to mate with the articulating arm. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a shaft, a tapered clamp plate, and a bottom clamp plate. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer system of  claim 5 , wherein the tapered clamp plate has an oblong cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer system of  claim 6 , wherein the base forms a base mounting portion with an oblong shape complementary to the oblong cross-section of the tapered clamp plate. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer system of  claim 5 , wherein the base forms a base mounting portion that is tapered to complement a taper of the tapered clamp plate. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer system of  claim 5 , wherein the connector connects to the base by applying a clamping force on the base between the tapered clamp plate and the bottom clamp plate. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the base forms a base mounting portion on the portion of the base that protrudes from under the mattress or pad. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilizer system of  claim 10 , wherein a surgical drape is configured to lie between the base mounting portion and the connector upon connecting the connector to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is radiolucent. 
     
     
         13 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a lever-actuated clamp with pre-tensioned springs to form a two-stage clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating arm comprises a vertical post that is held vertically stable in relation to the connector during a medical procedure. 
     
     
         15 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is releasably attached to the articulating arm. 
     
     
         16 . The stabilizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating arm is releasably attached to the connector. 
     
     
         17 . A stabilizer system comprising:
 a base comprising a stabilizing portion and a protruding portion, the stabilizing portion configured to be inserted between a mattress and a table such that the protruding portion extends outward from between the mattress and the table, the protruding portion forming a base mounting portion; and   a connector comprising a shaft, a top plate, and a bottom plate, the top plate and the bottom plate configured to approximate to each other along an axial direction of the shaft,   wherein the connector is configured to mate with the base mounting portion to secure the connector to the base with a surgical drape pressed between the connector and the base, the top plate and the bottom plate configured to apply a clamping force on the base mounting portion to secure the connector to the base.   
     
     
         18 . The stabilizer system of  claim 17  further comprising a knob coupled to the top plate, wherein rotation of the knob causes the top plate and the bottom plate to axially approximate. 
     
     
         19 . The stabilizer system of  claim 18 , wherein the connector further includes a grooved ring assembly to secure the knob to the top plate such that rotation of the knob causes the top plate to translate axially along the shaft toward the bottom plate. 
     
     
         20 . The stabilizer system of  claim 17 , wherein the top plate is internally keyed to a cross-section of the shaft to prohibit rotation of the top plate relative to the shaft.